Calgary Alberta - As the safest Class 1 railway in North America, Canadian Pacific (CP) is committed to the safe transportation of goods across its network and the more than 1,100 communities in which it operates.
 
That commitment is outlined in full on a new web page, Transporting Dangerous Goods, which showcases CP's dangerous goods response capabilities, training available to first responders, and other online resources.
 
"CP is proud of the relationships we have with first responders and communities, and we take our role in ensuring fire departments have the training they require extremely seriously," said Glen Wilson, CP Assistant Vice-President Environmental Risk.
 
"While incidents involving a release of a dangerous goods product are extremely rare, we are committed to preparedness and response in those instances."
 
CP has Hazardous Materials Officers located across its network.
 
CP's emergency response capabilities include fire fighting trailers, transfer trailers, boom containers, and emergency response posts strategically located across CP's network.
 
These resources, along with a 24/7 emergency response contractor network, provide additional resources and personnel to provide effective response and allow the railway to provide mutual aid to other industrial partners when needed.
 
Under the common carrier obligation, CP is required to move products considered dangerous goods, or called hazardous materials in the U.S., provided they meet federal standards.
 
As the consumer and societal needs for these products carry on, CP continually strives to make the transportation of dangerous goods as safe as possible.
 
"For the last 10 years, CP has been the safest railway in North America according to FRA train accident frequency," Wilson said.
 
"While rail is the safest way to move dangerous goods over land, CP believes it's essential that we are prepared to respond effectively to dangerous goods incidents. In the past five years, CP has trained over 20,000 emergency responders on HazMat response through our emergency training exercises."
 
CP offers training on railway incident emergency response for local emergency responders through hands-on and online training.
 
The website lists all of the available training and training resources available to agencies as well as training available from industry partners.
 
"We have enjoyed a close working relationship with CP," said Paul Boissonneault, President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, speaking from the group's annual conference in St. John's, Newfoundland.
 
"CP's commitment to training and preparedness is appreciated by the fire fighters and communities across Canada and we thank them for their support."
 
CP's Community Emergency Planning Guide was developed to assist local emergency organizations with their efforts to plan for and respond to incidents involving railway property or equipment.
 
The guide is designed to supplement local emergency plans and it covers key information needed by planners and responders should an incident take place involving CP.
 
The website also features a video outlining CP's emergency response training the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) in Pueblo, Colorado.
 
Agencies wanting training or needing information regarding what is available to them, should contact their local CP Hazardous Materials Officer or Community Connect at 1-800-766-7912.
 
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